Arin M. Daigneau: Tips for healthier kids

One in three children in the United States is overweight or obese. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that once were seen only in adults, like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

The good news is that childhood obesity can be prevented. In honor of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association encourages your family to:

■ Get active outside — walk around the neighborhood, go on a bike ride or play basketball at the park.

■ Limit screen time — keep inactive (sitting down) screen time to two hours or less a day.

Taking small steps as a family can help your child stay at a healthy weight.

The VNA offers the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, which is free of charge if you live in Colorado; are pregnant, breastfeeding and/or have a child younger than 5; and have a family income less than WIC guidelines (call our clinic for guidelines).

WIC welcomes men. Fathers, grandparents and other guardians play an important role in caring for their children.

The WIC program provides:

■ Personalized nutrition consultations.

■ Breastfeeding information, support and referrals.

■ Checks to buy free, healthy food to supplement what you already buy.

■ Referrals for medical and dental care, health insurance, child care, housing, lactation support and other services that can benefit the whole family.